Since being at university, the number of people in my social circle has increased quite dramatically. Suddenly, I know a whole bunch of people, most of them from the south, who have lived (and are living) very different lives to me. By this I mean there are some people who are incredibly wealthy, or at least significantly wealthier than me, a humble working-class Geordie girl.

I have always known that being working class is a part of who I am, and it will always be a part of me. It has given me an understanding of people and the world that I would be highly unlikely to get if I was born rich or well off. It is the experience of meeting all of these new people with such a contrasting background to mine which has made me fundamentally realise once and for all that being working class is a huge part of my identity and anything that attempts to dilute that is simply not worth entertaining.

Being working class affects basically everything I think and do and say. It has shaped me as a person and thus formed my ideas on life, politics, religion, society, friendships, money and love. It is something that simply runs in the veins, and I am grateful for it.

Working class people generally have strong identities and are rounded individuals. It is something to be proud of, and something to encourage. Our heritage is rich, varied and filled with inspiration for anyone from any class.

Being working class is part of my identity because it made me who I am today.